November 16-18 Weekend Highlights by NYMetroParents

November 16-18Giving Thanks, Disney On Ice, a Party Planning Showcase, the Big Apple Circus, and the Holidays

Though much of life has returned to "normal," many of our neighbors are still in need of a helping hand. We created a forum on our site to help community members and local businesses spread the word about news regarding the aftermath of the storm, which you can use to enter your own needs and news. We're also sending 25 families to Disney On Ice Rockin' Ever After to help bring a little joy to the little ones in the family — please help us spread the word so we can send the families who could truly use a break with this magical show.

Giving Thanks: This weekend, teach your kids the importance of giving back with a trip to CANstruction to donate canned foods for City Harvest and see how hundreds of cans can create awesome sculptures. Donate your time and spend it reading to a dog at Wag Your Tale! Then teach your kids about charity through art, math, and science at the ThanksGIVING Project Open House. Plus, gather food for the 90K Long Island families in need at the 4th Annual Turkey Drive.

Cool Robotics, Clowns, Magic, and Icky Goo: Make your own icky sticky goo at the IckyFest or see what lurks in the subway tunnels at a makeshift archaeological site at the NY Transit Museum. Get your hands in 3-D printing, rockets, robotics, and design your own video games at S.T.E.A.M. Festival. Visit the Big Apple Circus for a mini history lesson and amazing tricks, or see other types of illusions with kid-favorite Mario the Magician the one-man magic show.

Fun with Music, Culture, and Party Planning: Explore the Caribe at Super Sábado where there will be Haitian folk-tales, arts and crafts, and Caribbean and Brazilian dance. Step back in time to see what life was like in The Castle at Bayside Historical Society. Then, straight from PBS Kids!, meet and sing along with SteveSongs, one super-musician. Plus plan the best birthday party at the Celebrate! Party Showcase where DJs, photographers, party planners, and more will be on-hand to show you the latest trends in all things birthday and bar/bat mitzvahs.

The Outdoors: Carry your binoculars to spot the season's birds and learn how to identify them by sight and sound. Then take a nature walk (and wagon rides!), learn how the animals prep for the upcoming winter, and make Thanksgiving decorations using items found in throughout the woods.

November 18Celebrate! Party Showcase - Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown, NY Get fresh ideas on party favors, gifts, entertainment, new concepts in photography and videography, and fun and creative catering ideas at this showcase of more than 70 vendors who'll help plan your party.

November 18The ThanksGIVING Project Open House Rockland Jewish Academy, West Nyack, NY An early childhood celebration with a special opportunity to explore ideas of gratitude through art, storytelling, math, and science...

Stuff We Like: Giving Thanks TogetherYour little ones (and the grown-ups) may be thankful on Thanksgiving, but it’s tough to keep that mindset once the want-want-want mantra of the gift-giving season begins. Below are a few of our favorite ideas, plus some cool products that will help you...

We Rocked the Vote All Right by A Mom Amok in BrooklynThis morning, it feels fantastic to have rocked the vote. This morning, I’m glad I took all three of my children with me to the voting booth. No matter how much of a pain it is to cast it. Yes, yesterday, at the voting booth, I wasn’t so euphoric.

Articles on NYMetroParents.com

Holding On to The ThanksA mother wonders how to sustain a spirit of gratitude in her family when, shortly after the turkey’s cleared, our collective minds turn toward the next holiday—and all the gifts that come with it.

Resources for Parents During Hurricane SeasonWith 2011's Irene, this September's tornadoes in Brooklyn and Queens, and most recently Sandy in October, it seems like we barely recover from one natural disaster before another occurs. Here's how to prepare for and recover from severe weather.

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